THE ability to adapt to stand-in senior coach Mark Thompson’s game plan will be more important than the scoreboard when Essendon takes on the Gold Coast on Monday night.

Bombers assistant coach Simon Goodwin said the team aspect rather than individual performances was the focus for the first NAB Challenge match against a strong Suns line-up.

“We’re keen to see if they can implement the style of play that we’ve been looking to play and youngsters who can fill spots in the team we need for Round 1,’’ Goodwin said on Sunday.

“The expectation is that guys playing in the team (at Metricon Stadium) will play at some stage this year and it’s really important to have a look at them and play the brand of footy we think this group is capable of playing and get everyone on the list to play it.’’

Thompson and his assistants will pay particular attention to the ruck work of Patrick Ryder and young back-up Joe Daniher.

“Obviously, with Tom Bellchambers out for the first month of the season, it’s important that Paddy and Joey are playing well,’’ Goodwin said.

“And at some stage we’ll have a look at Fraser Thurlow, give him a go in the ruck as well.’’

Paddy Ryder and Essendon’s ruck division will be a constant source of interest...Source:News Limited

Essendon’s proud history of brothers in the same team will unveil the latest addition with Cobden teenager Zach Merrett joining older brother Jackson to pull on the Bombers jumper.

Goodwin said while Jackson was more advanced with his two years start, 18-year-old Zach had shown solid pre-season development.

“Both are real quick and both are good decision-makers and they love the competitive element,’’ he said.

Merrett and fellow teenage draftee Orazio Fantasia, trade pick-up Kurt Aylett and Thurlow are all chances to play their first games after arriving in the off-season.

Merrett and Fantasia were picks 26 and 55 in last November’s AFL national draft, Aylett, 21, comes to the Bombers as a trade from the GWS Giants and 21-year-old Thurlow was first pick in the rookie draft.

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